FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

QUARTERBACKS

Jay Cutler, CHI - Fractured Thumb

Bears’ QB Jay Cutler will miss at least 4 weeks after he fractured the thumb on his right (throwing) hand during Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Cutler, who was hurt while trying to make a tackle on an interception return in the fourth quarter, stayed in the game but he complained of pain and discomfort afterwards and X-rays in the locker room revealed that his thumb was broken. Additional testing on Monday confirmed what the initial X-rays showed and according to reports he is scheduled to have his thumb surgically repaired sometime this week. When asked if Cutler’s season was over head coach Lovie Smith told reporters “No” and that the medical staff expected him to return “by the end of the regular season.” Backup QB Caleb Hanie is currently in line to start for the Bears in Week 12, but don’t be surprised if the team brings in a veteran to take Cutler’s place.

Matt Hasselbeck, TEN - Sprained Elbow and Strained Forearm

Titans’ QB Matt Hasselbeck left Sunday’s game after suffering injuries to his right (throwing) arm and elbow and his status for Week 12 is considered questionable. According to reports an MRI on Monday revealed a minor ligament sprain in his elbow and a minor muscle strain in his forearm. Neither injury is considered serious, but the team is concerned that even if the medical staff can effectively manage the pain he will not be able throw the ball with the necessary velocity. He’ll be very limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and they hope he will be able to do more in practice on Friday.

RUNNING BACKS

Shonn Greene NYJ - Bruised Ribs

Jets’ RB Shonn Greene, who left last Thursday’s game against the Broncos in the first quarter with bruised ribs, did not practice with the team on Monday but head coach Rex Ryan told reporters that he expects Greene to play in Week 12 against the Bills. According to reports the Jets’ medical staff is concerned that contact could aggravate the injury, so they plan on keeping him out of contact drills this week. Like with most rib injuries, if Greene can deal with the pain and discomfort he should be able to play and still be productive. We’ll keep you posted on his recovery.

Fred Jackson, BUF - Calf Contusion

RB Fred Jackson’s status for Week 12 is in question after he left Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with a calf contusion. Jackson was injured in the third quarter and he was escorted to the locker room where he was examined and treated. He later returned to the sideline but he had an ice bag wrapped on his calf and he stayed out for the remainder of the game. Jackson told reporters afterwards that he was “fine,” but according to reports his calf was extremely sore on Monday morning and head coach Chan Gailey has already said that he won’t practice on Wednesday. Check back later in the week for an update.

Adrian Peterson, MIN - High Ankle Sprain

Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson will likely miss the team’s Week 12 game after an MRI on Monday morning revealed that his left lower leg injury is actually a high ankle sprain. Peterson was injured in the first quarter on Sunday and after limping off the field he was examined on the sideline and then carted to the locker room for X-rays. No fractures were found, but he was having a difficult time moving around so the medical staff held him out for the remainder of the game. Peterson told reporters after the game that the injury was minor and that he didn’t expect to miss any playing time, however he has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain which complicates the matter. According to reports he has a grade 1 or minor sprain, but even minor high ankle sprains typically require a couple of weeks of rest. Head coach Leslie Frazier is hoping that Peterson can practice on Friday and play against the Falcons, but right now it’s not looking good. Toby Gerhart will get the start if Peterson is inactive.

James Starks, GB - Sprained Knee and Ankle

Packers’ RB James Starks, who suffered minor sprains to his right knee and ankle during Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers, will probably miss Thursday’s early game against the Lions. Starks was hurt when his knee and ankle were twisted backwards on a carry in the fourth quarter. He was helped off the field and eventually carted to the locker room. According to reports neither sprain is considered serious, but since he is dealing with multiple injuries and the Packers are on a short week team officials aren’t expecting him to play on Thanksgiving Day. Head coach Mike McCarthy is officially taking a wait-and-see approach, but don’t be surprised if Starks is inactive for Week 12.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK - Mild Concussion and Strained Neck

It appears that Raiders’ WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has avoided serious injury after being taken to the hospital on Sunday with head and neck trauma. Heyward-Bey was hurt when he was accidentally hit in the back of his head by Vikings’ LB E.J. Henderson in the fourth quarter. After being examined by the medical staff on the field Heyward-Bey was secured to a spine board and carted off the field. He motioned to the crowd as he left the field indicating that he was conscious and had use of his extremities. He was then transported to a local hospital where he was re-examined. According to reports he has been diagnosed with a minor concussion and a minor neck strain and team officials expect him to make a quick recovery. He was seen wearing a neck brace on Monday and head coach Hue Jackson told reporters that he wasn’t sure if he would be able to play in Week 12. We’ll know more about his status later in the week, but don’t be surprised if he is inactive.

DeSean Jackson, PHI - Bruised Foot

Eagles’ WR DeSean Jackson was seen wearing a walking boot after Sunday night’s game against the Giants raising concerns about his availability for Week 12. But according to reports the team is calling the injury a bruise and they expect him to be play against the Patriots. Jackson’s foot was apparently stepped on in the first half but he didn’t miss any playing time because of the injury. He actually missed a few plays while he was being tested for a concussion, however the tests were negative and he was able to finish the game. His foot was a little swollen afterwards and he was fitted for a walking boot as a precaution. Jackson actually called the injury a “little sprain, “ but the team is reporting it as a bruise. Either way it looks like he will be healthy enough to play in Week 12.

Greg Jennings, GB - Knee Contusion

Packers’ WR Greg Jennings watched spent much of the second half against the Buccaneers on sidelines because of a bruised knee, but head coach Mike McCarthy has told reporters that he will be in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Lions. Jennings banged his leg in the second quarter and although he took the field for the start of the third quarter he was having difficulty creating separation and the medical staff decided to keep him out as a precaution. He’ll likely be limited in practice this week, but it appears that he will be healthy enough to face the Lions.

Donald Jones, BUF - High Ankle Sprain

Bills’ WR Donald Jones will miss at least 3 weeks and he could be out for the remainder of the season after an MRI on Monday confirmed that he suffered a serious left high ankle sprain against the Dolphins. Jones, who was injured in the second quarter, remainder on the ground for several minutes and he appeared to be in a lot of pain. He was eventually carted off the field and into the locker room. X-rays were negative, but a preliminary evaluation revealed that he suffered a high ankle sprain, similar to the one he had earlier in the season. Unfortunately the MRI showed that the sprain is serious and head coach Chan Gailey admitted that Jones could end up on injured reserve.

TIGHT ENDS

Jake Ballard, NYG - Bruised Elbow

Giants’ TE Jake Ballard left Sunday night’s game against the Eagles with a bruised elbow, but he later returned to the game and according to reports the team believes he will be healthy enough to play in Week 12. Ballard fell and banged his right elbow into the ground in the second half and he was taken to the locker room where he was examined. Precautionary X-rays were reportedly negative and after having it padded and wrapped he was able to return to the field for the team’s final drive. He’ll likely be limited in practice this week, but expect him to be active against the Saints.